The Awareness Center closed. We operated from April 30, 1999 - April 30, 2014. This site is being provided for educational & historical purposes.
We were the international Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault (JCASA); and were dedicated to ending sexual violence in Jewish communities globally. We did our best to operate as the make a wish foundation for Jewish survivors of sex crimes. In the past we offered a clearinghouse of information, resources, support and advocacy.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken was
accused of clergy sexual abuse (sexual harassment and professional sexual misconduct).
At one point Rabbi Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky
regarding the allegations made by one of the women he counseled. The
conversation included a confession by Yaakov Menken of having sexual
contact with the woman. Rabbi Menken basically blamed the survivor
stating "she manipulated him". Rabbi Menken was nearly forty at the
time. The young, haredi woman was hardly out of her teens.

If you or anyone you know were sexually victimized by Rabbi Yaakov Menken and are looking for resources, please feel free to contact The Awareness Center and or your local rape crisis center.

Yaakov Menken's alleged modus operandi is to become a father figure to vulnerable young women and eventually manipulating them into having sexual contact with him. Menken is married with children and in his forties. The alleged women he targets are usually in their late teens or early twenties. In 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and confessed to having sexual contact with a very young woman he counseled. He basically blamed the survivor, stating "she came on to me".

Kenneth Lloyd Menken was born in 1965. While attending Princeton University, Menken became observant and started using his Hebrew name -- "Yaakov".

Menken received his undergraduate degree in 1986. Upon graduating, started a seven year sabatical studying in various yeshivas (seminaries), such as Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in New York, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel.

Yaakov Menken has always been a computer maven. One of his goals was to educate unaffiliated college students who didn't have access to shiurim (Torah teachings). At the age of twenty-eight he founded his first organization -- Project Genesis. It has been reported that Yaakov Menken received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Moshe Silberberg, while attending Ohr Somayach. Silberberg also brought Menken his biggest client -- Compuplus.

Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a blog called "Cross-Currents". Some of the smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.

There have been many alleged and convicted sex offenders in Rabbi Menken's life. One of these individuals includes Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, who is the prinicipal of Baltimore's Torah Institute. Both members of Shearith Yisrael also know as Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer's "Glen Avenue shul.

Alleged Sexual Predator - Rabbi Ken Menken

In the past Rabbi Menken stated that he felt the incest and molestation accusations against Eisgrau are ludicrous, as well as the sex abuse allegations against Rabbis Matis Weinberg and Mordecai Tendler. He also stated that the New York Jewish Week's editor, Gary Rosenblatt was wrong to expose rabbi Baruch Lanner, who was convicted and sent prison for sexually abusing underage girls.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken has several computer businesses -- Project Genesis (which opperates several non-profit organizations and Team Genesis, which does commercial web development.

It's important to note that for several years Menken's organizations Team Genesis/Project Genesis had connection to convicted sex offender Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman, who was protected by the rabbonim of Baltimore until his conviction in 2004.

Some of the clients of Rabbi Benyamin Fleishman includes (click here to see the full list Rabbi Benyamin Fleischman's clients):

Agudath Israel of America

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Bais Yaakov of Baltimore (the Principal is the son Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro and is the brother of Rabbi Yisoel Shapiro)

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (multiple allegations were made of clergy sexual abuse against the grandson of one of the founders)

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder of Project Genesis, and creator of many of its sites and programs. You will find hundreds of Torah commentaries authored by Yaakov Menken on this site and elsewhere.

Rabbi Menken graduated from Princeton with a degree in Computer Science before going to Yeshiva (traditional Rabbinic school) for further Jewish studies.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is a pioneer in the field of Internet-based Jewish Outreach and a veteran analyst of the global Jewish scene. Project Genesis supports outreach organizations worldwide, while operating Torah.org, the Internet's premier Jewish learning web site. Both Yaakov Menken and his organization maintain open communication with Jews at all levels of learning and education, and Project Genesis is endorsed by Jewish leaders from across the Jewish spectrum.

Yaakov Menken earned his Bachelor's degree from Princeton University in Computer Science, and then pursued Rabbinic studies in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva Jerusalem, before founding Project Genesis in 1993.

Rabbi Menken is also the founder of TorahMedia.com, and a new journal of thought and opinion called Cross-Currents. Smaller Torah.org projects include Aveidah.org and more.

Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances?Rabbi Yaakov Menken - November 30, 1994http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v16/mj_v16i98.html

The problem with Sherut Leumi [women serving in the Israeli Defense Force with men] is that a girl cannot abandon her post the first time a man makes a pass at her. With all the debate over sexual harassment in _this_ country, you would be amazed at what Israelis consider "normal" behavior. Can one expect that a pretty, innocent girl with an older, "experienced" superior will be so easily able to escape his advances?

It's hard for me to fathom the naivete of a person who, in the 1990's, questions whether it was appropriate to forbid religious girls to do this kind of service. If you want to call preserving religious mores "stifling" religious girls, that's your prerogative.

Immediately before I became frum, I met two religious girls who were on a break from their "Sherut Leumi" - on a beach in Teveria. I can assure you that it wasn't their religiosity that was on display.

Why is it that no one has remarked on how the State of Israel "stifles" people by forcing them to serve in the Army, or how the US "stifles" us by forcing us to pay taxes? Just as the leaders of the country are called upon to tell us what is necessary for preservation of the nation, so too the leaders of the Torah community should be expected to tell us what is necessary for the preservation of Torah.

Below Rabbi Menken is talking about journalist, Gary Rosenblatt who originally broke the story of the case of Rabbi Baruch Lanner.

I will make one comment about the so-called "watchdog" mentality, as applied to a well-known scandal of a few years back. The newspaper editor who "broke" that story insisted that he "went public" not because he wanted to sell papers and enhance his own reputation as a journalist, but because "nothing was being done."

Then, two years later, he "broke" a similar story after a whole set of steps were taken, and, in fact, the first line of his story was that a Bais Din was about to be convened in order to find out the truth.

This tells you something about the truthfulness of the so-called "justification" for his publication of the first set of allegations. I am not saying that those who should have done better supervision are not worthy of criticism – but I'm saying something about the motivations of self-appointed watchdogs.

CALL TO ACTION: The Awareness Center is asking that Rabbi Shumel Kamenetzky make a public statement regarding the confession of Rabbi Yaakov Menken. The Awareness Center - November 19, 2006It is not often The Awareness Center puts out a warning regarding an individual who is also rabbi. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the time has come for action to be taken regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

The Awareness Center has recently learned that Rabbi Menken has created two new organizations associated with "Project Genisis". He has began a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach) called 'e-Kiruv". He is also involved with an organization called Oz Nidberu. There are also rumors floating around that he may be involved in the development of a new counter-missionary organization.

We all have to be aware that it is not uncommon for Kiruv workers and or counter-missionaries to be involved with individuals who are experiencing a personal crisis in their lives. These crisis's includes a death in the family, illness of a loved one, trying to sort out unresolved issues, and even individuals who have been traumatized (victims or witnesses to a violent crime, survivors of childhood abuse, survivors of sexual assault, etc.). Individuals who are experiencing a life crisis are often in a vulnerable state and are more susceptible to being manipulated by sexual predator.

Over the last few years Rabbi Yaakov Menkin was accused of both sexual harassment and professional sexual misconduct. At one point Rabbi Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky regarding the allegations made by one of the women he counseled. The conversation included a confession by Yaakov Menken of having sexual contact with the woman. Rabbi Menken basically blamed the survivor stating "she manipulated him". Rabbi Menken was nearly forty at the time. The young, haredi woman was hardly out of her teens.

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky - Enabler of Sex Offenders

Because of the serious and complicated allegations made, the word needs to get out that young, single adult women could be at risk of harm if they share information about their personal lives with Rabbi Yaakov Menkin, especially if the woman is experiencing any sort of life crisis.

Due to the sensitivity of the situation and for reasons of confidentiality we are limited in what we can share with you about the case. What we can share is on The Awareness Center's site on Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

The Awareness Center, Inc. is also asking that everyone contact Rabbi Kamenetzky requesting that he make a public statement regarding the confession made by Rabbi Yaakov Menken. Contact information for Rabbi Kamenetzky is provided below.

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor" (Leviticus 19:16).

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky

Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia

6063 Drexel Road

Philadelphia, PA 19131

Telephone: (215) 473-1212 Fax: (215) 477-5065

If you or someone you know has had similar experiences, please contact your local rape crisis center and or The Awareness Center, Inc.

If you go to the home page of the organization called "Oz Nidberu", you will see an image of a leeping frog. The link will take you to the Jewish Learning Network's web page, which is operated by Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

The Awareness Center, Inc. - December 24, 2006In honor of the survivors of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken), The Awareness Center is bringing the following information to your attention. The goal is to prevent any more individual from becoming the next victim of a sexual offense.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder and director of Project Genesis, a Kiruv organization (Jewish outreach). He has put together an educational program that is funded by the Jewish Education Enhancement Projects (JEEP), which obtains its funds through the Jewish Federation of Baltimore (The Associated).

The Awareness Center, Inc. is asking that you contact both organizations and demand they stop funding programs connected to Rabbi Yaakov Menken. We are also asking that you contact those who are advertising Menken's programs. Explain to them that they are putting unsuspecting women at risk of harm.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken confessed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky that he had sexual contact with a young religious woman. At the time of the abuse this particular survivor was undergoing "spiritual counseling" by Rabbi Menken. The survivor was bearly out of her teens at the time she was sexually manipulated. Kenneth Menken was nearly in his forties. He was also a married, haredi (orthodox) rabbi.

The young woman describes her experience with Menken as clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct) During a conversation with Rabbi Kaminetsky, Kenneth Menken stated the young woman "manipulated him into having sexual contact."

Project Genesis has put together the following lecture series, which is funded by The Associated of Baltimore. Each time this program is advertised puts another unsuspecting woman at risk of harm -- by being "counseled" by Rabbi Menken. Please demand that all organizations stop funding activities organized by Yaakov Menken. Also demand that newspapers and magazines refuse to advertise events connected to him. The goal is to prevent one more unsuspecting individual from becoming the next victim of a sex crime.

The Awareness Center is also asking everyone to contact the following speakers. Please help inform them of Rabbi Menken's past history of alleged clergy sexual abuse (professional sexual misconduct). All inquires of his confession should be directed to Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky. (215) 477-1000.

Please ask Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky make a public statement regarding Rabbi Menken's confession and require Yaakov to be in therapy with a highly qualified psychotherapist whom specializes in working with sex offenders. The Awareness Center is also asking that Ken Menken financially compensate the survivor for the pain and suffering he has caused her.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the founder of Project Genesis, and creator of many of its sites and programs. You will find hundreds of Torah commentaries authored by Yaakov Menken on this site and elsewhere.

Rabbi Yaakov Menken has been called a ' visionary ' in the field of Jewish Outreach. Project Genesis supports outreach organizations worldwide, while operating Torah.org , the Internet's premier Jewish learning web site. Both Yaakov Menken and his organization maintain open communication with Jews at all levels of learning and education, and Project Genesis is endorsed by Jewish leaders from across the Jewish spectrum.

Rabbi Menken earned his Bachelor's degree from Princeton University in Computer Science, and pursued Rabbinic studies in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Beth Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood and Jerusalem, and the Mirrer Yeshiva Jerusalem, before founding Project Genesis in 1993.

Yaakov Menken joined Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in creating Cross-Currents , a journal of traditional Jewish thought, in late 2004. This award-winning web log, or blog, features ten recognized, outstanding Orthodox rabbis and teachers. The name Cross-Currents reflects, in Rav Adlerstein's words, the aspiration "to expose the intersection between two currents: the timeless flow of authentic Torah thought, and the ebb and tide of current affairs."

Recently, Rabbi Menken led the technical development of Contact Loved Ones , an open voicemail system for those displaced by recent natural disasters. This story was picked up by the general media and especially by technical publications.

Rabbi Menken is a veteran analyst of the global Jewish scene. Project Genesis has helped with the hosting of Jewish World Review since its inception, and Yaakov Menken has contributed articles to JWR on tolerance , the value of life , the risks of the Internet (which also appeared elsewhere ) and other topics._________________________________________________________________________________

CALL TO ACTION: Boycott Events Associated with Alleged Sex Offender, Rabbi Yaakov MenkenDecember 5, 2007Over the last few years The Awareness Center has shared information with you regarding the case of Rabbi Yaakov Menken (AKA: Ken Menken). Due to the issue of confidentiality we have been limited in what we have made public. The allegations against Menken include sexual harassment and clergy sexual abuse.

Yaakov Menken's alleged modus operandi is to become a father figure to vulnerable young women and eventually manipulating them into having sexual contact with him. Menken is married with children and in his forties. The alleged women he targets are usually in their late teens or early twenties. In 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Menken had a discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky and confessed to having sexual contact with a very young woman he counseled. He basically blamed the survivor, stating "she came on to me".

Since The Awareness Center became aware of the allegations made against Yaakov Menken we were able to gathered information which included conversations with various rabbonim in Baltimore. It appears that a national Jewish outreach organization which includes a relative of the Menken survivors were in a bet din dispute right before and during the time that Rabbi Yaakov Menken was sexually manipulating a young woman from an extremely insulated community. The survivor was barely out of her teens at the time that Yaakov Menken started his grooming process on her.

When Menken got started the young woman had recently moved away from her family for the first time. Menken allegedly marked her as an easy target and began to provide rabbinical counseling to her. It's important to keep in mind that Rabbi Menken was very angry with the survivors relative during this time period and the woman was unaware of the bet din dispute. It is believed that this is part of the reason why Menken picked her as a target and began to lure her in.

Usually when someone goes searching for spirituality they are in a vulnerable state because of some sort of personal crisis in their lives. These are exactly the type of people that Menken allegedly preys upon.

Several Kiruv organizations are partnering up with alleged sexual predator, Rabbi Yaakov Menken, for a Jewish Outreach event that will be featuring Dr. Gerald Schroeder. The problem is that by doing so they are basically saying that Yaakov Menken is safe and someone both affiliated and unaffiliated Jews can trust.

The Awareness Center is asking that you boycott all events associated with Yaakov Menken, Project Genesis, Torah.org, Project Genisis, Cross-Currents, and TorahMedia.org. We are also asking that you to call and or write the following people and demand that they stop working with Rabbi Yaakov Menken.

FAIR USE NOTICESome of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." –– Margaret Mead_________________________________________________________________________________

Friday, December 24, 2004

According to reports, after being arrested Adam Wexler confessed to most of the charges relating to raping a eight-year-old girl.

Adam Wexler grew up in Minneapolis He immigrated to Israel in 1990, just prior to the Gulf War, and lives in Gush Etzion. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.

To
celebrate 10 years as a band, Reva L'Sheva has released a double live
album, almost all recorded in one night in December 2002 at Club Tzora
near Beit Shemesh.

Reva L'Sheva is the obvious leading candidate
for the title of godfather to the post-Carlebach rock bands, and having
lasted 10 years is certainly cause for celebration.

Back in
1994, when Reva L'Sheva first started to gig, it was a tight outfit
known for long guitar jams and fierce rhythms. As the years went by,
however, the band's sound became significantly lighter and more
digestible, but as Ten Years proves, Reva L'Sheva's original flavor is
still strong.

Fronted by Shlomo Carlebach disciple Yehudah Katz,
Reva L'Sheva has changed lineups a great deal over the years, but the
2002 incarnation is seasoned and tight. Adam Wexler remains one of the
most skilled and creative bassists in the genre, and Danny Roth's
drumming is as solid as ever. Chanan Elias is most noticeable on this
recording in his role as backup vocalist, but the atmosphere and
occasional solos we hear from his keyboard contribute as well.

"Mizmor
L'David" is given the space-out-jam treatment, complete with
atmospheric fiddle effects. Considered by many to be the cornerstone of
any Reva L'Sheva show, "M'heirah" here is thumping as ever.

Overall,
as with many two-CD sets, it's possible that a one-CD version would
have made for a more consistent experience, but there are enough
highlights here to keep us interested, and besides, Ten Years deserves
to be the document of an entire concert.

THE LECHATCHILA BAND

Hatuna Milechatchila:

Live in Concert

Soulfarm is known in Jewish rock circles for bringing a world beat to Hassidic niggunim.

The
Lechatchila Band does the opposite. Hailing from South America, they
already reside in the world of multiple percussionists,
wall-of-ethnic-sound orchestration and complex rhythm structures.
Lechatchila's world beat rock approach to Carlebach and other Hassidic
standards has tremendous authenticity lechatchila, to begin with.

A
whirlwind journey through all your favorite simcha songs, with some
surprises, Hatuna Milechatchila: The Lechatchila Band Live in Concert is
the group's only official release. The album is built in three
sections: To the Huppa, Medley A and Medley B, sending us on a journey
through a full 28 songs in less than an hour. The band wastes no time
setting moods, preferring to get down to rocking ethnic niggun business.

As tight as the result is, Lechatchila can't resist indulging
every few minutes in a furious percussion jam (courtesy of kit drummer
Yaniv Cohen and hand percussionist Eli Tzvik), or in a duel between
electric violinist Nir Sarussi and guitarist Chaim Bergil, who trade
fiery licks. It is the jamming that lets this recording capture the
intoxicatingly upbeat energy of the live performance._____________________________________________________________________________________

Criminal LawHasidic Musician suspected in the rape of girl age 8By Noam SharbitMSN News (Hebrew) - NFC (News First Class) - December 23, 2004http://news.msn.co.il/news/CriminalLawCourt/Law/200412/20041223153200.htm(Translation from Hebrew to English by San and Avraham Sonenthal)Adam Wexler, a 48 year old American citizen from Moshav Bat-Ayin in Gush Etzion, was charged with 3 counts of rape, depraved acts and forced depraved acts perpetrated aparently on a female neighbor about 9 years ago.

The prosecution: He has confessed to most of the charges.

The district court in Jerusalem presented (Thursday, 23 December 04) a written indictment against Adam Wexler, member of the Hasidic band "Quarter to Seven" (Reva l'Sheva), who is accused of 3 counts of rape, depraved acts and forced depraved acts that he aparently committed against his female neighbor, an 8 year old girl, 9 years ago. The court will decide today on the prosecution's request to detain Wexler until the conclusion of the proceedings against him.

Wexler, 48 year old American citizen from Moshav Bat-Ayin in Gush Etzion, was indicted for acts committed during years 94-95, according to the complainant who is now 17 1Æ2 .

"He dragged her to the storage shed"

In the indictment presented by lawyer Tal Wiseman ben Shachar from the Jerusalem area prosecutors office, it is charged that during that time period the complainant used to go with her friend twice a week for ballet lessons. One of these times, after she left her friend

and sought to go up to her house, Wexler blocked her way and prevented her from entering her home. He grabbed her by the waist, and dragged her in the direction of the storage shed of the building and locked the door.

According to the complainant, Wexler forced her down onto a mattress in the storage room, fondled her legs and vagina and did oral sex to her and other depraved acts. After a few minutes, he dressed her and allowed her to leave the storage room. The prosecutor charges that the above mentioned event occurred 2-3 times a week during a several month period. On one of these occasions, he also inserted his finger into her vagina hurting her.

"He inserted his finger and caused me to bleed"

These acts, according to the indictment, continued for an additional year, until the end of '96, at a frequency of between once a week to once in two weeks, during which on three separate occasions Wexler also penetrated her vagina with his finger, causing her to bleed.

On another occasion, it is charged, the mother of the complainant sent her to Wexler's house to pick something up, Wexler opened the door, put her in one of the rooms of his house, and she managed to escape but he overpowered her and returned her to the room. When she started to cry he apologized to her and started fondling her thighs, until Wexler's daughter entered the home, at which time he released the girl.

In the request of the prosecution for detention until the conclusion of the proceedings the prosecutor maintains that Wexler confessed to most of the acts attributed to him. According to the request, he is a "...danger to public safety – to the safety of the complainant particularly and to the safety of children in general". On the other hand, since he often has to travel outside the country because of his livelihood, there is a danger that a decision not to detain him until the end of the proceedings or release him without sever restrictions and conditions, will make it easy for him to escape justice._____________________________________________________________________________________

Reva L' Shevawww.revalsheva.com/ bios.phpg

Adam grew up in Minnesota. At age nine he formed his first rock band "Adam and the Ants". By age 10 he had already performed with Frank Sinatra, as well as the pop greats "The Four Seasons". Traveling all over the world, Adam suddenly found himself in Israel. One day he passed by Har Tziyon (Mt. Zion) and stuck his head into the court yard of the Diaspora Yeshiva. At that very moment he overheard someone placing an advertisement in Rolling Stone Magazine seeking a bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band. Adam auditioned, got the gig and was the star bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Later, he left Israel to pursue a playing career with American rock stars, among them Bobby Rifkin of the Prince Band. Ten years ago he returned to Israel with his family._____________________________________________________________________________________

Adam WexlerOrganisation: Reva L'ShevaAdam Wexler is bassist in Reva L'Sheva, Israel's popular rock band. Attending Limmud with Yehudah Katz - lead singer and keyboard. Adam grew up in Minnesota. At age nine he formed his first rock band 'Adam and the Ants'. By age 10 he had already performed with Frank Sinatra, as well as pop greats 'The Four Seasons'. Traveling all over the world, Adam suddenly found himself in Israel. One day he passed by Har Tziyon (Mt. Zion) and stuck his head into the court yard of the Diaspora Yeshiva. At that very moment he overheard someone placing an advertisement in Rolling Stone Magazine seeking a bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band. Adam auditioned, got the gig and was the star bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Later, he left Israel to pursue a playing career with American rock stars, among them Bobby Rifkin of the Prince Band. Ten years ago he returned to Israel with his family_____________________________________________________________________________________

Decmeber, 2004 -- Adam Wexler was accused of 3 counts of rape and forced depraved acts against a 8 year old female neighbor.

Adam Wexler
grew up in Minnesota. At age nine he formed his first rock band "Adam
and the Ants". By age 10 he had already performed with Frank Sinatra, as
well as the pop greats "The Four Seasons". Traveling all over the
world, Adam suddenly found himself in Israel. One day he passed by Har
Tziyon (Mt. Zion) and stuck his head into the court yard of the Diaspora
Yeshiva. At that very moment he overheard someone placing an
advertisement in Rolling Stone Magazine seeking a bass player in the
Diaspora Yeshiva Rock Band. Adam auditioned, got the gig and was the
star bass player in the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Later, he left Israel to
pursue a playing career with American rock stars, among them Bobby
Rifkin of the Prince Band. Ten years ago he returned to Israel with his
family.

FAIR USE NOTICESome of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner._____________________________________________________________________________________

Vicki: "I've been working in the sexual victimization field since 1985.
I started as a volunteer, and then went back to school to get my degrees.
As time has gone on, I've gotten more in touch with my Jewish identity.
I started to realize that there was nothing out there for the Jewish survivors
of sexual violence. For years I told other people to start something,
no one did, so I ended up creating The Awareness Center.

"It was a gradual process. In April of 1999, I started changing my private
practice web page into The Awareness Center as it is now.

"Back in the early 1990's, I was working in a rape crisis center on the
South side of Chicago. I was a clinical sex abuse therapist, working with
kids who were sexually abused. I was the fifth Caucasian hired and the
first Jew. As I worked with the kids, I had to learn about black history,
Kwanzaa, and black power. I started realizing that I knew more about their
heritage than I did about my own. That's when I started learning about
Judaism."

Luke: "How did you start getting support for The Awareness Center, particularly
from Orthodox rabbis?"

Vicki: "As I was recreating the web page, I was also googling Jewish
web pages finding e-mail addresses and sending notes to everyone who had
an e-mail address listed -- letting them know what I was doing and asking
if they were interested in joining forces. That's how I met Na'ama Yehuda,
Dr. Michael J. Salamon, rabbi Yosef Blau and rabbi Mark Dratch. I'll
never forget when I got an e-mail back from rabbi Blau, I didn't know
who he was. I had to ask someone who he was. My friend told me he was
OK and I should contact him. I did that immediately and the rest is history."

Vicki Polin, Na'ama Yehuda, Michael Salamon, Yosef Blau, Mark Dratch

Luke: "What have been the typical areas of conflict between you and Orthodox
rabbis regarding the center?"

Vicki: "It seems that everybody has a different perspective on halacha
and the way we deal with cases. It all depends on which case we're dealing
with, what the halacha seems to be."

Luke: "Why did rabbi Dratch leave the center?"

Vicki: "He was under a great deal of pressure with his position with
the RCA (Rabbinical Council of America). It was a conflict of interest between the two organizations.
You would have to ask him."

Luke: "How is dealing with sexual abuse different in the Orthodox world
than outside of it?"

Vicki: "First of all, the Awareness Center is not an Orthodox organization.
It is a Jewish organization. We have individuals calling us from all affiliations
and including those from no affiliation. On our web page we have cases
of alleged and convicted rabbi abuse from every affiliation.

"In the secular world, people read newspapers and watch TV. They tend
to be pretty progressive in the way they see individuals who have been
sexually victimized, especially children. In the Orthodox world, it is
often so insulated, that I feel that I am back in the 1980s trying to
educate them on the basics. Many just don't have the information available
to them that they need."

Luke: "How do you tell the truth when someone alleges sexual abuse?"

Vicki: "One of the myths that people have is that the majority of claims
individuals make of sexual violence are made up. You have to realize that
it is only 1-2 percent of cases where there might be false allegations.
If and when there is a case of false allegations -- it is usually a cry
for help, something else is going on in the life of the individual. Either
way, the individual needs help.

"One of the things The Awareness Center does is to look for consistency
in what a caller is saying.

"The statistics of occurrences of childhood sexual abuse is the same
in the Orthodox world as it is in the secular world. I even read a study
some time ago saying the statistics are the same in rural China. Basically
one out of three-to-five women and one out of every five-to-seven men
have been sexually abused by their 18th birthday."

Luke: "Don't you think the Jewish community is taking this more seriously
than it has in the past?"

Vicki: "It depends on which community you are talking about. I was recently
talking to a rabbi from an extremely insulated community -- he basically
was saying that anybody who makes these kind of allegations is crazy.
It appeared that he bought into the myth that 'Jewish people don't abuse
their children.' It enraged me, and made me more determined to do what
ever I could to make sure our rabbinic leaders become educated."

Luke: "What is rabbi Saul Berman's complaint with the center?"

Vicki: "His complaint has mainly to do with our handling of the case
of rabbi Mordechai Gafni (AKA: Marc Gafni). From the beginning, I've had no idea where he
was coming from and why he is trying to protect an individual who confessed
to statuary rape a 13-year old girl. Rabbi Gafni has never shown any signs
of remorse. He has never made teshuva [repentance] to the individual he
assaulted. Rabbi Berman has sent The Awareness Center several long elaborate
letters of complaint. No matter what we did or said, he just wasn't satisfied.
It's obvious that he is lacking the needed education so that he could
have a better understanding of sex offenders and in working with survivors
of sexual violence. It saddens and scares me that a man of his statute
is not willing to learn."

Luke: "Do you feel like you need to educate these rabbis?"

Vicki: "Definitely. I'd love to do training with them. One of the long-term
goals of The Awareness Center is to have some kind of certification program
for rabbis. Once they are educated we would be able to use them as referral
sources for survivors, their family members and those who offend."

Luke: "How much training does a rabbi need?"

Vicki: "When I worked as a rape victims advocate, I had to undergo a
40-hour training on some of the basics. That's what I wanted to start
out with. Rabbis need to understand what the symptoms are of someone who
has been sexually violated (both adults and children). They need to know
about the different types of sex offenders, and how to help families members
of sex offenders. They also need to know what to do when an alleged or
convicted sex offender comes to their minyan. They need to know some of
the basics of how to make their minyans safe for everyone."

Luke: "What role does rabbi Blau play with the center?"

Vicki: "He's my partner in crime. He is our halachic advisor (Jewish legal advisor regarding Jewish law), does a
lot of hands on work -- doing a lot of case management. And most important,
he's always explaining to me -- who's who in the Orthodox world."

Luke: "Do you believe that God called you to be a sex abuse victims advocate?"

Vicki: "It's hard for me to say that it comes from God. Please remember
that I come from an atheist background. I'm really learning as I go along.
What I feel comfortable saying is that the universe has opened its doors
in this direction for me. Every time I try to walk away, it just doesn't
let me."

Luke: "Have you ever been romantically or sexually involved with
someone you were [counseling]?"

Vicki: "No."

Luke: "What do you think about suppressed memories, are they valid?"

Vicki: "Instead of me answering this question, I would like to refer
you to a dynamic web page
that discusses all of the relevant information on the topic."

Luke: "Is the center a one woman show?"

Vicki: "The Awareness Center is a coalition of several different
individuals who are dedicated to ending sexual victimization in Jewish
communities around the world. We currently are all volunteers (I can't
wait until the day we have the funding we need to hire staff). I may be
the most visable, but we have a team effort going on. We would not be
able to do the work I'm doing without Rabbi Yosef Blau, Na'ama Yehuda,
Dr. Michael Salamon, Renee Cannella, San, Adam and a slew of other people.

Luke: "Are you the poster "Me"?"

Vicki: "I am NOT the individual who posted on the Protocols blog,
who used the name of "ME". I wish I was as intellegent and as articulate.
The "ME" poster has a vast knowledge of Hebrew and Torah. I don't."

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Survivors ARE Heroes!

The Awareness Center believes ALL survivors of sex crimes should be given yellow ribbons to wear proudly.

Survivors of sexual violence (as adults and/or as a child) are just as deserving of a yellow ribbon as the men and women of our armed forces, who have been held captive as hostages or prisoners of war.

Survivors of sexual violence have been forced to learn how to survive, being held captive not by foreigners, but mostly by their own family members, teachers, camp counselors, coaches babysitters, rabbis, cantors or other trusted authority figures.

For these reasons ALL survivors of sexual violence should be seen as heroes!